Why an Example Resume May NOT Help You

We know it’s difficult to start writing (or rewriting) your resume or beginning a new job search. And while this blog has plenty of advice and help to get your started, there are several reasons why an example resume could work against you.

Each Person is UniqueYes, yes… this may be a theme drilled into you in kindergarten but, in this case, it is actually true! No two candidates are alike. Especially in today’s economy, people have unique situations… from layoffs… to large employment gaps… to career changes… that all need to be handled in a very specific way depending on the individual’s overall goals. Using an example resume could only hurt you in the long run because your past experience or target position is likely not identical to the one you are copying from.Generic TemplatesOf all the example resumes on the internet, the majority of them are very generic that someone has completed using a basic resume template available in their word processor. These formats and templates are SO common, hiring managers can recognize a generic resume without even reading it. With a pile of resumes to sort through, often the easiest way to eliminate potential candidates can simply be from the appearance of the resume. Unfortunate, but true.Give yourself the best chance of getting your resume noticed by hiring a Certified Professional Resume Writer that is well trained and well versed in your target industry.Too PersonalWriting your own resume can be difficult. It’s hard to sell yourself to a new employer. On the other hand, candidates sometimes get too personal in their resume and include information that is not relevant and may actually work against them. Simply copying a layout or design or even some wording from an example resume is only half the issue. You still need to come up with clear, non-repetitive sentences that not only highlight your experience but also showcase your accomplishments.Our experience is that most people do not know how to craft their own resume and fall victim to common errors that hiring managers quickly recognize.Poor Quality Writing & FormattingExample resumes are often poorly written, use terrible grammar, and use old formatting techniques. If your goal is to present a resume that stands out from the crowd, you want to make sure your writing and formatting is impeccable.Our RecommendationWhile it is highly possible to write your own resume, we definitely recommend hiring a professional resume writer to do it for you. By doing so, you are hiring someone with an expertise in resume writing, someone who understands what hiring managers are looking for, and someone who knows how to format your resume for your current career goals. Check out resume writing services today!

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